An appeal for asylum in the UK for the LGBT refugees Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia

London / Rome, March 24 , 2012. The degree of civilization is measured on each Country's treatment toward refugees. Human beings who are fleeing persecution and humanitarian crises are to be welcomed and protected. We need to prevent xenophobic ideologies and political opportunism to avoid violations of the refugees rights and unjust deportations. Many gay refugees have been deported in recent years from the European Union to countries which strongly applies homophobic laws. In those countries, LGBT people have been imprisoned, tortured and sometimes murdered. EveryOne Group supports the petition launched by the Movement for Justice and requests the institutions of the United Kingdom, the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees and Human Rights, the European Parliament and all human rights organizations to devote attention and commitment to the cases of LGBT refugees Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia, fled from Uganda and Senegal, where they were at risk of persecution, to the United Kingdom, where they claimed asylum. While they were waiting for political asylum, the four refugees were engaged in defending LGBT rights for victims of homophobia. Unfortunately, the UK authorities have refused to grant them the asylum status, condemning them to deportation. Their forced repatriation would mean imprisonment, torture, persecution and maybe death.

Waiting for urgent answer and cooperation, we thank you for your attention.

Justice delayed is justice denied. End the degrading treatment of Refugees.Grant asylum to Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia now!

Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia are lesbian/gay activists and civil rights leaders from Uganda and Senegal, nations where openly gay people are politically persecuted, imprisoned and murdered for being gay.Tacko, Asuman, Andrew, and Proscovia are seeking political asylum in Britain. Their outspoken and public opposition to the anti-gay political policies of the Ugandan and Senegalese governments means that a decision by the British government to return them to Uganda or Senegal is tantamount to a death sentence.Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia are members of the Movement for Justice and leaders of the struggles against racism and the scapegoating of refugees and asylum seekers here in Britain. They are also tireless leaders of the struggle for lesbian/gay equality in Britain, Africa and other parts of the world. Both the governments and anti-gay death squads of Uganda and Senegal know their sexual orientation.Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia have not been granted asylum, even though each of them filed a claim many months ago. Three survived torture; the fourth's partner was tortured and killed. Living under the constant threat of deportation, never knowing what the next day holds, is an especially excruciating experience for these political asylum seekers.Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia have not been granted asylum thus far because of their political activism in Britain. All four are members of the Movement for Justice and leaders of the struggles against racism and the scapegoating of refugees and asylum seekers here in Britain. Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia are also tireless leaders of the struggle for lesbian/gay equality in Britain, Africa and other parts of the world. They are precisely the kind of leaders that Britain needs to progress as a society.Last year Britain co-sponsored a Joint Statement on LGBT Rights by 85 countries at the United Nations, calling on governments like Uganda and Senegal to end the torture of LGBT people, protect their safety and human rights, and stop treating homosexuality as a criminal offence. Granting asylum to Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia is an easy, direct and meaningful way for the British government to show that its pious words will be backed by action.